Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Morning Bonus Read – A New Month

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This month I want us to focus on our goals. I thought this would be a great tarot spread for the rest of this month :)”

Tarot of Light and ShadowYou at the beginning of this month.
Ace of Serpents atop Eight of Cups

At the beginning of this month you were preparing for the holiday rush and all of the bounty that I was hoping would drop into my lap with extra orders rolling in.  Because of the pandemic, I was uncertain (water in the Ace of Serpents) that I would manage to draw in the orders and income that needs to come in at this time of year to make sure that the rest of the year runs smoothly.  At the beginning of the month I had become to realize that abundance is smiling upon me and diving headlong into the alternate reality that the holiday rush holds me within for six weeks or so out of each year.

Three defining events of this month.

Ten of Wands – Overwhelm and potential burn out.  This is the result of that six month race of too many orders and too little time.  It is inevitable, but can be mitigated a bit to ease its effects by trying to fit in some self care.

Judgement Rx – Am I doing well enough?  Is it going to be enough? Am I going to be enough? Am I doing enough? This time of year is filled with these worries and doubts. There is no way to tell while in the middle of the fray, but these worries drive me forward to work harder and harder, push more and more.

Two of Serpents Rx – There is no balance.  None. It’s something that is struggled with even when things are quiet and smoothly running.  But now is not a time of quiet and smooth, but chaotic and overwhelming.  There is no balance, just as there is no balance every year for these six weeks.  All you can do is do your best to keep moving forward, and eventually restore that balance once the rush is over.

Three defining characteristics of this month.

Six of Swords – A constant focus on the fact that this won’t last forever.  A constant focus on moving forward and riding the wave. A consistently repeated reminder over and over again that this stress and strain and overwhelm is not forever… just for this moment, and that it will soon be over.

The Wheel – There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with the month of December, and a lot of ups and downs because of that uncertainty. In this case, though… things are looking good and the upswing is a beautiful thing.  Needed.  Sooner or later what comes up must always come down tho, so watch out for the downswing that will eventually show up.  Probably next month.

Ace of Wands – The holiday rush is very literally the “seed” of my passion and drive. The business is my drive, my intent, my focus, my goal, and the white hot spark of my ambition.  The holiday rush funds necessary aspects of this endeavor, giving my goals and drive the funds needed to continue forward into the next year.

You at the end of this month.
Ten of Cups

Contentment and relief at having made it to the end.  Pleasure and a breath of fresh air for my emotions now that I can bring them back to the surface once again.  A chance to enjoy the good stuff in life again, including all those things that make me happy and connect again with Gideon and my loved ones. And a bit of an opportunity for some rest (the cup tipped on its side).

DECK USED: TAROT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW (LIGHT CARDS ONLY)

Morning Bonus Read – Distractions

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“A fun one for this week! But be aware, accidental shadow work can be done with this one 😅”

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Playing Cards1. Ten of Clubs atop Seven of Diamonds – Your habit for piling on too much responsibility on yourself and too many projects makes it difficult to stay the course without getting distracted. There’s always so much to explore and to do, and you always seem to think you have a bigger plate to pile things on than you actually have.  It’s hard to “stay the course” with the long term projects sometimes with so many different things trying to tug on your attention at one time.

2. Four of Hearts atop Six of Diamonds –

One of those things you need to make sure you are staying focused on is your meditation practice. Every time you skip this practice, you facilitate bad habits perpetuated by your past.  Instead of allowing your past and the bad habits that have grown from there to dictate your life and your well-being, work harder on staying focused on the things that help you to be better.. feel better… and be healthier.  Your meditation is at the top of this list and should not be ignored.

3. King of Spades – All that crap that you want to put on your plate but have no room for isn’t as important as you think it is. Strategizing can only take you so far.  Let it go… let the task master that demands more of yourself every single day ease up a bit. You’re not allowing yourself enough time to breathe.

DECK USED: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER PLAYING CARDS

Fairy Rings and Liminal Spaces

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Today’s prompt comes from one of my Discord servers. It was really interesting to me that when I tried to answer this question, I found myself almost at a loss for words and I decided to dig a little deeper and see if I could more fully express myself on this topic.

Prompt: Has anyone seen or had any experiences with fairy rings? I’ve always been really curious about them. Any experiences would be interesting to me! I’ve never found one myself, but I’ve always wondered what the energy around them feels like? Is there something in particular you do when you see one?

So first, I should explain what a Fairy Ring is. Essentially, it is a naturally formed ring of mushrooms, as seen above. They are most often found in fields and forests, sometimes in gardens and people’s lawns, etc. There is a huge amount of folklore involving Fairy Rings which describe then as everything from good fortune to bad fortune, something to be excited in seeing to something to be avoided at all costs.

My personal experience with these rings is primarily in the forests. And, at least for me, they have a very similar feeling to the liminal spaces in the forests and I would not be surprised at all to find out that they were also a form of liminal space for the Fae to pass through from their realm into ours and back again.

It is generally considered a bad idea to stand in the center of one of these rings, as it is considered to be trespassing. I personally have done this, and I can confirm that there is definitely a very liminal-like energy within the ring. In my case, though, liminal spaces that belong to the Fae are often a draw for me. They pull upon my energy, seeking to entwine with it, and it is through that pull that I find them in the first place.

Because the rings feel so very similar to how the liminal spaces of the forest Fae feel to me in general, I treat them in much the same way. That is to say that I usually greet and acknowledge Fae rings and those liminal spaces by allowing that pull I feel to draw my energy towards it, and connect my energy to the energy of that space.

That connection threads my energy with that of the ring/liminal space in much the same way a rope is made by the twining of multiple strands of string. It both energizing and pleasurable for me, almost like the joy of a warm and welcoming homecoming.

When I am connected to these spaces in that way, I then often begin to get a stronger sense of the Fae in the area including being able to more strongly feel their energy and often hear them whispering, tittering, and giggling in an effort to draw me into their games. Sometimes I give in and play with them for a bit, and other times I move on after sending some warmth of love their way. Regardless of if I linger or not, I come away feeling more contented and usually also happier and lighter after that energy connection has been made.

Where connecting my energy to the earth is very calming and grounding, creating a centering peace and solid core of energy within me… connecting to the energy of the liminal spaces of the Fae is energizing, crystallizing in how it can create clarity and lighten the heart and lift the senses. When I go into the forests, I may seek one or the other… but ultimately? I usually end up with both, which is perhaps why I find my time in the forests far more beneficial than simply connecting to the earth through farming or gardening.

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Woods

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Prompt: Pull (at least) three cards use them to tell a story in which the characters are warned not to go into the woods.

Tarot ResomThe Woods

“Don’t go into the woods” they said, but he just couldn’t resist. He went every day. Some days for just a few minutes, and other days for hours and hours on end. Sometimes in the darkness of wild storms, and sometimes during clear skies with the sun or moon to light his way. (The Fool atop The Devil)

He didn’t understand what they all were so afraid of. Nothing bad ever happened when he visited the woods, and so he became confident and comfortable in his visits. (The Magician atop The Moon)

He would wander for hours, lost in his own thoughts while he marveled at nature’s splendor.  He admired the birds and their fluttering wings, the squirrels and their speed and ingenuity, and even took joy in the slow trek of the snails moving over forest floor and fallen logs (The Sun atop The Hermit)

One day in his wandering he came to a small grove covered in moss and was so enchanted that he decided to sit for a while and enjoy.  He found a comfortable spot to settle upon the ground beneath an old tree and as he watched the creatures and plants go about their daily routines, he became very tired. The exhaustion came upon him suddenly, and soon found himself so tapped of energy he had need to lie down upon the ground. (The Lovers atop Temperance)

While lying upon the ground, he watched motes of pollen swirl through the air like dust motes in the light of the setting sun and a great sense of peace overtook him. Soon, he let his eyes close and breathed in the fresh air fragrant with pine needles and damp earth. He imagined himself cradled lovingly in the palm of the earth’s embrace and as he drifted off to sleep, he felt as if he was slowly sinking into a deep and heavy darkness. (The Empress atop The Star)

And indeed, as he slept, he was embraced by the earth. Foliage crept close and roots shifted to make room. (Death) He was gently lowered deeper and deeper beneath the soil as it shifted to cradle and accept him within.  So in tune with the earth, so comfortable within her embrace, he yielded to her without alarm or fear and became one with the earth without ever waking from his deep sleep. (The World)

And alas, the young man was never seen from again.

DECK USED: TAROT RESOM

Transitioning from November to December

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This is a spread that I do at the end of each month to close out the month.

Edmund Dulac Tarot, Jeremy Miranda Cards

Individuality – Ace of Cups – You seek a new more positive path and sail the seas that take you in the direction of that which you seek. You are currently still hesitating, though, hiding in the shadowy shelter of the old way of doing things instead of taking the plunge full on.

Dependence – Six of Cups – You are trying to shed how things were done before. Not just in relation to how you work and deal with the responsibilities you take on, but also in how you see success and in the reorganization your priorities and values.

Creativity – Eight of Coins – Using your skills and abilities to assist in finding a sense of home and security. At this time you’re working hard and tapping in to everything you you’ve learned and know, all your creativity and expertise in order to find the security you seek that will set you up for the rest of the year.

Limitation – Two of Cups – The cold hard influence of your parents values and disciplines have made this progress harder than it needs to be.  They want you to share their values and in many ways you have.  Now that you are re-evaluating the balance of those values, placing joy higher on the list and responsibility a bit lower, that separation from their teaching is causing a cold dissonance that needs time to overcome.

Change – The Hermit –  The peace and serenity you gain through allowing yourself a touch of alone time helps you connect with your inner truth and the quiet voice of your intuition. It allows you to see the path that is right for you and you alone.

Sympathy – Four of Cups – Make sure when you take time for yourself that it is done in a productive way. Too many times you retreat into yourself and from everyone else both emotionally and physically. Even productive alone time can turn unhealthy if you linger for too long.

Luck – Eight of Cups – When you left home, you dove into a world of hurt on many different levels, and yet even through all the struggles and pain of that time, there was joy in the fact that you had gained your independence and freedom from tyranny. This joy existed even within the chaos and struggle, the pain and the fear. It is a part of you even now.

Power – Three of Swords – You can defeat encroaching forces of fear and depression with celebration and familial warmth. Embrace family and loved ones and allow them to pick you up when you’re feeling low or feel the darkness trying to slip in. They can help you, but you have to let them in.

Responsibility – Four of Swords – A future boon is coming in the form of rest and recovery and true peace. Right now you struggle and there’s so much to do, but remember that this is only a temporary thing.  Quieter times are coming and you’ll be able to enjoy some peace and rest soon enough.  It’s on the horizon and not that far off.

Message from Spirit World –  The new path you are on is providing you room for more joyous celebration and enjoyment of life as well as a more restful recovery and enhanced inner peace. Be kind to yourself.

Message from Mind’s World – Child-like imagination can take you to amazing places and awaken your creativity. Embrace the fanciful and let your mind wander a bit now and then. You don’t have to be so serious and studious all the time.

Message from Known World –  Too much work and not enough rest will leave you in a world of cold misery when you are left drained and alone. It’s important to stay connected and close with those you love and allow them to help you so that you can remain healthy not end up hurting yourself (and them) by trying to do too much on your own.

Take Away – There are a lot of warnings here about encroaching darkness and old habits trying to get a foothold. You need to remember to reach out to those you love for the emotional support you need to keep this darkness at bay.  If you can hold it at bay, your reward at the end of the holiday rush will be a rest and recovery that does not include the normal depressive sludge you usually need to wade through in January.

DECKS USED:  EDMUND DULAC TAROT, JEREMY MIRANDA CARDS

Full Moon in Gemini – November 2020

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Edmund Dulac Tarot - Full Moon in Gemini Tarot Reading

Today is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us.  Today’s spread is brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

1. Where am I deluding myself?

Happily ever after doesn’t just magically appear no matter how much you want it to.  Cinderella may have had a fairy godmother, but you on the other hand have to steer your own chariot.  Although the summer was very relaxing and the fall was filled with procrastination and lack of direction, you’re no longer in either of those seasons any longer.  No time to dawdle anymore.

2. What am I missing?

The wind blows at your back and the water laps at your feet.  They usher you forward and all you need to do is ride the energy they provide. You may have to do for yourself, but the chaos will make its own energy for you to ride if you open yourself up to it and let it sweep you away.

3. What perceptions need to be shifted?

What others see and think doesn’t matter. Don’t use your perception of their judgements as an excuse to swirl darkness into your life.  Be kind to yourself instead and allow light to shine through the darkness that would otherwise be allowed to spread through your insides.

4. What requires further investigation?

Open your eyes and look around.  A threat comes from the east and it needs your attention.  You have the capability of deflecting the worst of it from landing and wreaking havoc, but only if you keep your eyes open for the attacking harpy that’s coming your way.

5. What possibilities are ready to show themselves?

This holiday rush is providing me the opportunity to see just how much illumination and light that a bit of extra optimism can bring into my life. The little seed of light that was available to me and fostered by me in the summer months is now ready to glow brightly, but will only be as bright as the energy that I feed into.  Don’t forget to feed that light even when things are at their busiest and most chaotic.

DECK USED: EDMUND DULAC TAROT (TRIMMED NAKED)